It is hard to walk this shore without thinking of the Hurricane of 1938. Seventy years ago, the full force of that September storm hit Napatree Point, altering it's landscape severely. Thirty-nine summer homes, as well as several beach clubs were washed away, with fifteen lives lost on this narrow stretch alone. The land itself was transformed too, as Sandy Point was separated by water from Napatree and became (and remains) an island.
Napatree Point also represents the northeastern border to Long Island Sound. The glacial moraine that forms the North Fork of Long Island continues across the Sound, rising above sea level on several islands, before reaching the mainland in Watch Hill. From here I watched the open sea roll through the narrow stretch of water between Fishers Island and Napatree. The currents run strong here, although not as much as they do in the Race and Plum Gut. In the distance, several early season fisherman worked the tides of Sugar Reef Passage.
Napatree Point is managed by the Watch Hill Conservancy, and there are signs posted reminding visitors to avoid the sand dunes and nesting areas. I have read somewhere that this is a popular spot for viewing owls in the winter. I did not see any owls, but I did spot a seal sunning himself in the morning sun. In the past, I had only witnessed seals from a far distance, so it really made my morning to be able to view one close-up.
I walked the full length of the point, eventually reaching the ruins of Fort Mansfield (this will be a separate post). From here, I crossed over to the north side of the peninsula and worked my way back. North of me was the shallow waters of Little Narragansett Bay, a popular anchorage in the summer season. I took one last look at the island of Sandy Point, and tried to imagine what it looked like before 1938.
In the end, nature always wins.
Map Community Walk
YouTube: Kayak Surfing Off Napatree
Providence Journal: Napatree Point
Napatree 1938: Before & After Photo (scroll down)
New York Times: Remembering The Great Hurricane
SOUNDBOUNDER: September 21,1938
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3 comments:
Very interesting post. My class (as I am a teacher) do what is called expeditionary learning. Part of the focus of our next investigation is what if a hurricane the size of Katrina hit NYC. As you say not many do, so the info in the 1938 hurricane and how it actually changed the geography was of interest.
I also loved the post below about The Poet Bryant's place. I love knowing the history of a place. The poem's rhythm is especially nice. Thanks for visiting my blog. I have enjoyed yours as well.
A truly magical location. My daughters and I love to walk the beach. A visit to Watch Hill light is so close, and behind the beach on the "harbor side" is Barn Island coastal preserve in Stonington, CT. A beautiful, fairly clean marsh that my students and I have used for control conditions when working on Long Island Sound environmental research projects.
that is a very awesome place to walk with your bare feet touching the sand and admiring the beautiful landscape, I will have this place in mind for my next vacation time!
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